Luminescence behavior of a water soluble calix[4]arene derivative complex with terbium ion(III) in gelation solution.

The complexation luminescence behavior of a water soluble calix[4]arene derivative, 5,11,17,23-tetra-sulfonate-25,26,27,28-tetra-carboxymethoxycalix[4]arene (L) with lanthanoid ion (Tb(3+)) has been investigated in gelation solution at 25 degrees C by using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. The results obtained indicated that the water soluble calix[4]arene derivative can form an efficient energy transfer complex with terbium ion(III). The fluorescence of L x Tb(3+)complex is partially quenched by gelatin in gelation solution. The quenching intensity is related to the concentration and the hydrolysis degree of gelatin. Absorption and fluorescence spectra analysis show that the -COO(-) groups on gelatin have a definite binding ability to Tb(3+), and then, gelatin could compete binding with calix[4]arene derivative upon complexation with Tb(3+), leading to the relative fluorescence quenching of the formation complex of terbium(III) ion with calix[4]arene derivative.